East Asian Arch Psychiatry 2014;24:134

ORIGINAL ARTICLE


Green’s Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychopharmacology (Fifth Edition)

Authors: William Klykylo, Rick Bowers, Julia Jackson, Christina Weston
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
USD102.99; pp416; ISBN: 978-1451107142


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Mental health problems are quite common in children and adolescents. These differ significantly from general adult psychiatric disorders, in terms of disease entity, approach to assessment, and treatment options. Despite the many advances in clinical research and scientific techniques, there persist many controversies in the use of psychiatric medications in children. I agree with the authors’ viewpoint that psychological and behavioural treatments are very effective in these children and adolescents; however, it is also obvious that appropriate psychiatric treatment, on some occasions, will necessitate the use of psychopharmacology. The fifth edition of Green’s Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychopharmacology is a comprehensive and practical guide for those who are interested and engaged in treating children and adolescents with psychiatric problems.

The book is divided into 3 main sections, with the first section focusing on general principles in prescribing medications, second section on the use of specific drugs, and the last section including the Appendix.

In the first section, the authors introduce the readers to a clinically useful way of thinking about psychopharmacology, starting from assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to post-treatment evaluation. This section discusses how the initial clinical and psychodynamic formulations should be made, how the treatment plan should be developed and followed through, and how medications should be safely regulated and administered. The authors also remind the readers about the importance of and tips in communication skills with parents and patients, and the possible ethical problems that might arise during treatment.

In the second section, the authors describe, in detail, with up-to-date clinical evidence, the use of specific drugs, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)– approved and drugs with evidence-based off-label uses. A wide range of medications including sympathomimetic amines, central nervous system stimulants and executive function agents, first-generation antipsychotic drugs, second-generation antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilisers, antianxiety drugs, and some miscellaneous drugs are covered in different chapters. Most chapters begin with warnings or recommendations from the US FDA to remind users about the safe use of medications and precautions needed, followed by history of the use of these drugs in young patients, and mechanisms, dosages, drug- drug interactions, as well as adverse events and side-effects of the drugs. Important guidelines are tabulated or presented in flowcharts which allow readers to have a straightforward and easy reading before prescribing. The Appendix includes older and less commonly used medications as reference.

Overall, I think this is a convenient and reader- friendly guidebook which provides an ideal and quick reference for clinicians who work with young patients in their busy clinics. How I wish I had had the opportunity to read it when I was in my Child and Adolescent Psychiatry rotation! I would, without a doubt, recommend this book to those working in or wanting to know more about this field.

Yvonne Patricia Yuan-Ping Poon, MBChB (email: pyp590@ha.org.hk)
Department of Psychiatry
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan
Hong Kong SAR
China 

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